The Local Black Stars has failed to qualify for the 2018 African Nations Championship for the second successive edition after shockingly losing at home 2-1 to Burkina Faso at the Babayara sports stadium on Sunday.
The Burkinabes took an early lead in the 8th minute through Mohammed Sydey Sylla and doubled things up twenty minutes later though left back Herman Nikiema who combined very well with Traore Lassina in a qucik one-two that spit the Ghanaian defence. The visitors thus qualify to the CHAN finals with a 4-3 aggregate win with the first leg ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw in Ouagadougou.
Here Sportsworldghana.com’s Gariba Raubil rates the individual performances of the Local Black Stars players on a
Goalkeeper – Joseph Addo 5/10
Addo should should have kept the second goal out as his attention in goal was questionable. The Ghanaian defence was seriously bad but conceding four goals in two legs is not a good record by a keeper of Addo’s caliber.
Right back – Amos Frimpong 5/10
His first leg display was better. Amos was guilty for the Burkina second goal as he left too much space between him and his opponent Lassina Traore who played the one-two with Herman in the build-up to the Burkina goal.
Left back – Daniel Darkwa – 5/10
For his good performances in the league, this is not a performance of note from the left-back convert. In both legs hardly did he impose himself in the game. Captains carry their teams but Darkwa failed to do that and didn’t show why he deserve to be captain of the team. He lacks the charisma of a captain , Darkwa.
Center back – Ahmed Adams – 6/10
The best Ghanaian defender in the game, Ahmed Adams. He was head and shoulders above his peers in defence. Passed well and defended strongly. Adams played as if he had been part of the team all this while but he was actually joining the main team for the first time this season.
Center-back – Musah Nuhu – 4/10
Big disappointment Musah. After the first leg unconvincing show, he was supposed to improve but it was not going to be as he gave away the balls often and committed a serious foul in the Ghana box that should have been a penalty to be honest. Thank God it was not given in the end, things could have been worse for Kwesi Appiah’s team.
Central Midfielder – Gideon Waja – 5/10
Very good passer of the ball , Waja did his job well but as usual his biggest weakness is the tackles. He does not win so many tackles and that was what Ghana needed the most to stop the Burkinabes especially in the middle of the pitch with Abdoul Abass ready to break his legs to win the 50-50 balls for his visiting side.
Central Midfielder – Isaac Twum – 5/10
Didn’t hep the team in term of runnings and tackling. Won some couple of free-kicks for the team but largely his performances was not any serious.
Right winger- Patrick Razak – 5/10
Good finishing skills and decisiveness in the final third are what Razak lacks. Sometimes his decision making was also poor in the game. No Razak, this wasn’t a good game.
Left winger – Richmond Lamptey – 4/10
Very bad game for the WAFA lad making a competitive debut for the Ghana CHAN team and he could not overcome the stage-freight which was obvious. Having failed to impress he was quickly taken off at the start of the second half for striker Felix Addo who did much better.
Attacking midfielder – Winful Cobbinah – 5/10
He wasn’t that bad but wasn’t electrifying either like he’s done is previous games. Things didn’t work for him.
Striker – Sadick Adams – 4/10
Endured a torrid game. Failed to get any shots on target in the 60 minutes the he spent on the pitch. Was substituted in the second half for Thomas Abbey to take his place.
Substitutes
Striker – Felix Addo – 6/10
Alongside Ahmed Adams , the best Ghana players in the game. Brought energy and the needed attacking bite in the Ghana game that led to him scoring the Ghana goal in the
Defender -Emmanuel Ampiah – 5/10
Helped to prevent further Burkina goals when he came on. Was okay.
Midfielder – Thomas Abbey – 5/10
Should have provided a much bigger impact but Abbey couldn’t do that. Positioned himself very well for an Ampiah cross but Abbey could not get his head onto the ball.
Follow Gariba Raubil on twitter @GRAUBIL
